Teacher and Staff Honors 

If it takes a village to help raise a child, that village must include great teachers. Baltimore County Public Schools is proud of the quality and dedication of its teachers and is pleased to share some of their recent achievements.

BCPS Teacher of the Year 2007-2008:

Robin August
In honoring an outstanding educator each year, Baltimore County Public Schools celebrates all 8,000 teachers who make a positive difference in the lives of our students.

Despite the many exciting places her teaching career has taken her – from aquarium shark tanks to the Parthenon -- Baltimore County Public Schools’ new Teacher of the Year, Robin August, says she still finds being in the classroom the most inspiring place of all.

“When the lights come on, the bell rings, and the students enter the room, that’s when passion comes alive,” says August, a sixth-grade math teacher at Deep Creek Middle School in Essex. “To spend each day engaged in learning with students is such a gift.  To be trusted with the education of such incredibly unique and talented young people is a privilege I take seriously and gratefully.  It’s this gratitude and deep passion for the learning process that keeps me energized throughout the years.”

After 10 years of teaching in Baltimore City, August began teaching in Baltimore County at Deep Creek Elementary School. She moved to Deep Creek Middle School at the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year to teach grade six mathematics, including a Gifted and Talented math course and Algebraic Foundations.

In her 17 years as a teacher, August has always taught in Title I schools. She considers one of her greatest accomplishments to be improving the academic performance of fourth grade math students at Deep Creek Elementary School. After two years, grade 4 math MSA scores rose from 64.3% proficient in 2004 to 85.3% proficient in 2006.

Deep Creek Middle Principal Anissa Brown Dennis says, “Parents are truly fortunate to have Ms. August as their children’s teacher. Not only are the children in her classroom challenged on a consistent basis, but they also develop a love for math that transcends into their later years. Ms. August is constantly thinking about the child and how to better reach that child in a positive way. It is this type of impact that makes Ms. August the special teacher that she is.”

In addition to the title and a plaque, the county’s Teacher of the Year is awarded the use of a new Toyota Prius for a year, courtesy of the Baltimore Area Toyota Dealers, a longtime Teacher of the Year program partner. A whiteboard is placed in her classroom courtesy of Baltimore County Public Schools, and she receives a $4,000 stipend from the Maryland State Department of Education. For the 11th year in a row, Comcast Cable presented a $1,000 check toward the purchase of a laptop computer for the Teacher of the Year. The Teachers Association of Baltimore County (TABCO) also honored August with several gifts.

For more information on the BCPS and Maryland State Department of Education Teacher of the Year programs, please visit: www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/recognition-partnerships/toy.

<< For a list of BCPS Teachers of the Year since 1988, please click here >>

Additional Teacher and Staff Honors

July 2007 – Present

Local. State, and Regional

The Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics honored Nina Riggs, department chairman at Overlea High School, as its one of its two high school Teachers of the Year and Sharon Brown of Oliver Beach Elementary School as its elementary school Teacher of the Year. The awards were presented October 18, 2007, during the council's annual meeting and awards banquet at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City. Winners were chosen by a statewide committee that based its selections on applications, nomination letters, and classroom visits or unedited videos of classroom lessons.

Melissa Benhoff, a special education resource teacher at Sparks Elementary School, was named Teacher of the Year by the Baltimore County Commission on Disabilities. The award was presented at their annual banquet on October 17.

The Maryland Art Education Association has named Baltimore County Public Schools educators as Teachers of the Year at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. In a ceremony held on October 19 during the association’s annual conference at Towson University, the statewide awards were presented to Stewart Emmerich of Pleasant Plains Elementary School, Jackie Morgan of Pine Grove Middle School, and Cheryl Milligan of Towson High School. Winners are chosen by a statewide committee that bases its selections on nomination and recommendation letters as well as teachers’ professional resumes.

Also at the conference, school systems presented county-level awards to new teachers (those with fewer than five years teaching experience) and veteran teachers (those with more than five years teaching experience). Baltimore County Public Schools honored:

• BCPS New Elementary Art Educator – Lori Beth Petruzzi Fawkes, Sandy Plains Elementary
• BCPS New Middle School Art Educator – Stephanie Bylkas, Windsor Mill Middle
• BCPS New High School Art Educator – Liberty Grayek, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts
• BCPS Career Elementary Art Educator – Katie Lurz, Middlesex Elementary
• BCPS Career Middle School Art Educator – Michele Momenzadeh, Perry Hall Middle
• BCPS Career High School Art Educator – Craig Llewellyn, Lansdowne High

In October, the Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) honored Nina Riggs, department chairman at Overlea High School, as its high school Teacher of the Year and Sharon Brown of Oliver Beach Elementary School as its elementary school Teacher of the Year. 

Educators from across Baltimore County were recognized at the 2007 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Teacher Appreciation Luncheon at the Minorities in Research Science Conference on September 15, 2007. Honored teachers received certificates of recognition from Science Spectrum magazine for inspiring their students on a daily basis and increasing student interest in science-related careers.  The teachers honored from Baltimore County Public Schools included:

Bedford Elementary – Kerry Macek
Charlesmont Elementary – Kate Stratton
Chesapeake Terrace Elementary – Sharon Kagarise
Deep Creek Magnet Middle – Jennifer Forgnoni
Deer Park Elementary – Karin Carter
Deer Park Middle Magnet School – Linda McClelland
Dogwood Elementary – Mary-Margaret Zogby
Eastern Technical High – Jennifer Brager, Kimberly Burton- Regulski, and Katrina Comp
Halethorpe Elementary School – Laurel Mendrzycki
Halstead Elementary – Kim Clark
Hebbville Elementary – Angenine Goode
Johnnycake Elementary – Christa Zimmerman
Joppa View Elementary – Kerry Flanigan
Milbrook Elementary – Debbie Hurlock
New Town Elementary – Rachel Cohen
Oliver Beach Elementary – Donna Copenhaver
Orems Elementary – Anne Marie Martinelli and Grace Hulse
Pinewood Elementary – Janice Delaney
Randallstown Elementary -- Corrine Wertz and Valencia Perkins
Randallstown High – Natalie A. Adams
Sandy Plains Elementary – Ann Coughlin
Seven Oaks Elementary – Vicki Waite, Leslie Klock, and Patricia Ivinski
Stemmers Run Middle – Wintona Clayborne
Warren Elementary – Debbie Porter
Windsor Mill Middle School – Johnna Alexander
Woodbridge Elementary – Bonnie Kuncl

National and International

Lauren DeFeo of Overlea High School has been named the 2006-2007 Outstanding Technology Education Teacher by the StudentAware organization in conjunction with the U.S. Air Force. With this award, DeFeo becomes one of 250 educators nationwide who represent the best of more than 30,000 teachers across the country, and she was one of only two teachers in Maryland to be so named. For her honor, she received a laser-engraved plaque and an engraved multi-tool from the Air Force designating her as an Outstanding Technology Education Teacher.

At the National Staff Development Council's annual conference, held in November 2007 in Dallas, Principal Tom Evans of Eastern Technical High School made a presentation titled "Getting Results for High School Students - Using Breaking Ranks II to Improve Your School." 

July 2006 – June 2007

National and International

Towson High School has three additional teachers who have received National Board Recognition, Stephanie Meyer (social studies), Julie Damico (science), and Karen Nawn-Fahey (mathematics). Towson High School now has eight nationally certified teachers on staff.

Ann Summerson, art teacher at Dumbarton Middle School, has been named the National Junior Art Honor Society (NJAHS) Sponsor of the Year, 2007. Summerson received her award at the National Art Education Association Conference in New York, on March 15.  The Dumbarton Middle School NJAHS is a very talented group of art students who have created numerous service projects in the school and community with her support and guidance. 

At the National Science Teachers Conference held in Baltimore, members from the BCPS Office of Science, PreK-12 presented “Astronomy via Starlab - A Unique Educational Tool” and “Making Outdoor Experiences an Integral Part of the Curriculum.” In addition, several teachers and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) resource teachers presented “Skeeters,” a Grade 2 STEM unit for problem–based learning. Musical entertainment for the conference ribbon-cutting ceremony was provided by the Sparrows Point High School Steel Drum Band, under the direction of Kennis Rolle.

Dr. H. B. Lantz, Assistant Superintendent for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, addressed the general session of the Minorities in Research Science Conference on September 15, 2006. The national, three-day, Minorities in Research Science Conference was hosted by Science Spectrum magazine, a publication of the Baltimore-based Career Communications Group Inc. The conference addressed issues such as the shortage of women and minorities in science and engineering, the aging U.S. science workforce, and increasing global competition for scientific and technical talent and raised public awareness of the important contributions of minority men and women in science.

“MSOC,” an article about the Maryland Students Online Consortium, published in the October 2006 issue of Learning and Leading with Technology, highlighted Baltimore County Public Schools progress in increasing student access to online courses. The article was co-written (along with two others) by Thea Jones, supervisor of the BCPS Office of Instructional Technology and MSOC grant director, and Ryan Imbriale, assistant principal of Perry Hall High School, former MSOC grant facilitator and e-learning specialist, and a member of the Board of Directors of the International Society for Technology in Education.

Paul Foster, a teacher at Sollers Point Technical High School, was named Educator of the Year through the 2006 PIA/GATF Education Awards of Excellence Program. Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundations established the Education Awards of Excellence in 1984 to recognize dedicated graphic arts educators. Two awards are presented each year, one to an outstanding educator in an academic setting and another to an outstanding instructor in an industry setting.  Foster received his award at PIA/GATF on October 15 at the PIA/GATF Conference in Chicago.

The Fall 2006 issue of Young Arts, published by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts featured Towson High School Art Department Chair Juan Castro in “Teaching the Next Generation of Photographers,” an article about how “four of America’s best photography teachers…have developed or nurtured nationally recognized programs at non-arts-focused schools.” The same issue also identified teachers from across the nation who have demonstrated a “Standard of Excellence” through their success in preparing students for the NFAA ARTS competition. Of the 25 schools identified with outstanding teachers, two of those schools were in Baltimore County: the Carver Center for Arts and Technology and Towson High School. The teachers identified were Carroll Cook, Joseph Giordano, and Theresa McDaniel from Carver and Juan Castro, Cheryl Milligan, and Julie Stovall from Towson.

Twenty-three Baltimore County Public Schools principals completed a yearlong course and qualified to earn National Principal’s Mentor Certification. The year-long program, sponsored by Nova Southeastern University and the National Association of Elementary School Principals, consisted of workshops, on-line courses, and teleconferences. The following principals were awarded certification on August 16, 2006:

• Sue Deise, Rodgers Forge Elementary
• Barbara Bisset, Sparks Elementary
• Karen Harris, Pot Spring Elementary
• Christine Warner, Seventh District Elementary
• Jill Carter, Halstead Academy
• Jonna Hundley, Chapel Hill Elementary
• Kathy East, Victory Villa Elementary
• Darla Evans, Orems Elementary
• Donna Vlachos, Middle River Middle
• Steve Edgar, Parkville Middle
• Beth Strauss, New Town Elementary
• Ilene Swirnow, Pikesville Middle
• Carolyn Grimsley, Prettyboy Elementary
• Sue Hershfeld, Fort Garrison Elementary
• Verletta White, Seneca Elementary
• Anissa Brown-Dennis, Deep Creek
• Dottie Justice, Berkshire Elementary
• Debbie Klaus, Gen. John Stricker Middle
• Jill Bordenick, Halethorpe Elementary
• Teresa McVey, Hillcrest Elementary
• Karen Benny, Arbutus Elementary
• Rob Tomback, Catonsville High
• Barbara Walker, Pikesville High

Rick Gay, director of purchasing, has been awarded the Legion of Merit. The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued both to United States military personnel and to military and political figures of foreign governments. The Legion of Merit is one of only two United States decorations to be issued as a neck order (the other being the Medal of Honor), and the only United States decoration which may be issued in award degrees (much like an Order of Chivalry or an Order of Merit).  The Legion of Merit is seventh in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations, and is worn after the Defense Superior Service Medal and before the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Magan Chyko-Leigh, a teacher at Villa Cresta Elementary School, was recognized as one of the nation's most innovative teachers through the ING Unsung Heroes Program. Chyko-Leigh established a program called Access Announcements that bridges the communication gaps among students with hearing and students who are deaf or hard of hearing by broadcasting daily announcements via closed circuit televisions with an American Sign Language interpreter. Because students with hearing challenges rely on their vision to gain information, the Access Announcements initiative allows them to be more fully included in the school community. This student-operated program gives students an opportunity to lead the development and delivery of school-related news. Crews of students with hearing and students who are deaf or hard of hearing serve as newscasters, writers and camera operators. According to Chyko-Leigh, this project is unique because it is designed to meet the specific needs of the school's mixed population. With ongoing instruction and support from a dedicated team of teachers, she believes this program can help students improve their writing, public speaking, and interpersonal skills thereby enhancing the quality of education for all of Villa Cresta's students. More than 1100 applications were received from all across the country for the 2006 ING Unsung Heroes Awards. Of those, 100, including Chyko-Leigh, were selected to receive $2,000 to help fund their innovative class projects.

Local, State, and Regional

Nancy Null, Cisco Networking teacher at Sollers Point Technical High School, will be honored on April 26 as the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year.

Della Curtis, coordinator of Library Information Services, has been selected as a 2006-2007 recipient of an Excellence in Teacher Education Award from the Towson University College of Education. The award was presented to her in recognition of the support she has given to the mission and goals of Towson University and the College of Education, and specifically, for her contributions to excellence in teacher education.

Jamie Silverman, an English teacher at Parkville High School, was one of only two teachers in Baltimore County to receive a $2,500 grant through the Best Buy Teach Award program. Silverman submitted a proposal focused on bringing more technology into the school’s yearbook classroom.

For her leadership in school health initiatives, on October 27, Glenda W. Myrick, coordinator of the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools, was awarded the 2006 Dr. John M. Krager Leadership Award by the Maryland State School Health Council.

In August 2006, The History Channel announced that Baltimore County was one of only 27 communities in the nation to be awarded a Save Our History grant. While the Historical Society of Baltimore County is the actual grantee, Charla Helmers, a Dundalk Elementary School teacher, was instrumental in helping to write the grant. It will support fifth grade students from Dundalk, Sparks, Warren, and Fort Garrison elementary schools in continuing to conduct oral history research pertaining to the neighborhoods. Helmers and Coralea Tarlton, a teacher at Sparks Elementary, presented the project at the Maryland Council for the Social Studies Conference on October 20.  As an example of the work involved in this project, last year, Warren Elementary students took a hike to find the ruins of the old Warren Town, which was flooded when Loch Raven Reservoir was built. Warren students also located and interviewed a surviving resident from Warren Town.

The Merrill Presidential Scholars Program honors the University of Maryland’s most successful seniors and their designated University faculty and K-12 teachers for their mentorship. The legacy of academic excellence, teaching, and mentoring continues as scholarships are awarded in the K-12 teacher’s name to a new first year student from that teacher’s high school or school district. The Merrill Presidential Scholars Program builds a community of scholars, faculty members, and K-12 teachers who recognize and celebrate the importance of teaching and mentoring the next generation. This year, BCPS graduate Robyn Littman, who will graduate from University of Maryland College Park in May 2007, was named a Merrill Presidential Scholar, and she selected Mindy Sauter, an English teacher at Owings Mills High School, as her influential teacher. Both women were honored at an awards program held in October 2006.

Kathleen Quinn, library media specialist at Summit Park Elementary, has been nominated to become a Towson University Action Research Fellow. Only a few students who have completed high quality research proposals for useful action research in their school or classrooms have been nominated. The purpose of the Action Research Fellows Program is to promote useful action research designed to address problems identified by teachers in their school or classrooms. The Action Research Fellows Committee nominated Mrs. Quinn on the recommendation of Dr. Kenton, a professor at Towson University, who believes that she has completed a promising research proposal while a graduate student at Towson University. Mrs. Quinn will be researching the topic of independent reading and academic achievement in grades four and five. Results of the research study will be available in the spring.

More than 160 educators representing Baltimore County Public Schools participated in a Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, sponsored by BGE, during the national Minorities in Research Science Conference. The conference, held in September at the Baltimore Convention Center, was hosted by Science Spectrum magazine, a publication of the Baltimore-based Career Communications Group, Inc. At this luncheon, Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston was the featured speaker, and 84 Baltimore County teachers were honored for their outstanding contributions to science education. The teachers were accompanied by approximately 80 principals. Nominated by their principals, the following science teachers were honored: Kimberly Smith, Cedarmere Elementary; Connie Trabilsy, Chadwick Elementary; Amanda Bryd, Charlesmount Elementary; Shannan Harzarik, Chase Elementary; Christian Gromek, Chase Elementary; Linda Toth, Chesapeake High; Brooke Little, Chesapeake High; Jennifer Forgnoni, Deep Creek Middle; Karin Y. Carter, Deer Park Elementary; Bo Dunlap, Deer Park Middle Magnet; Katrina Turner, Dundalk High; Michelle Muehlencamp, Eastern Technical High; Kim Geho, Eastwood Elementary Magnet; Christina Hinkel, Elmwood Elementary; Charlotte Owens, Essex Elementary; Phyllis Rosen, Fort Garrison Elementary; Janis Silbersback, Franklin Elementary; Connie Klima, Franklin Elementary; Linda Lahnet, Franklin Middle School; Jaclyn Shields, Fullerton Elementary; Kelly Ray, General John Stricker Middle; Sarah Lampe, Glenmar Elementary; Lenore D'Adamo, Grange Elementary; Laurel Mendryzycki, Halethorpe Elementary; Kim Clark, Halstead Academy; Fran DiLella, Hampton Elementary; Darnell Peaker, Hebbville Elementary; Elaine Pociluyko, Hereford High; Susan Schmitz, Jacksonville Elementary; Lisa Tirocchi, Johnnycake Elementary; Kay Dyer, Joppa View Elementary; Meghan Connelly, Kingsville Elementary; Sharon Grimes, Lansdowne Elementary; Keli Walls, Loch Raven High; Victoria Streng, Logan Elementary; Margaret (Susie) Peeling, Lutherville Laboratory; Melinda Worden, Maiden Choice; Barbara Tyler, Mars Estates Elementary; Denise Gielas, McCormick Elementary; Judith Misterka, Milbrook Elementary; Donald Cooper, Milbrook Elementary; Elizabeth Smith, Milford Mill Academy; Catherine H. Bethea, New Town High; Lisa Donnelly, Norwood Elementary; Bridget Watson, Oakleigh Elementary; Thomas P. Michocki, Office of Science; Julian Hicks, Old Court Middle; Tony Flowers, Old Court Middle; Gretchen DelValle, Oliver Beach Elementary; Debbie H. Porter, Orems Elementary; Kathy Walder, Owings Mills Elementary; Lynette Shaw, Owings Mills Elementary; Doris Long, Padonia International; Nelson McMillan, Parkville High; Antoinette Roberson, Patapsco High and Center for the Arts; Kristie Straub, Perry Hall Elementary; Robin Bowden, Pine Grove Middle; Christina Allen, Pinewood Elementary; Kathleen Schech, Pleasant Plains Elementary; Amy Karpodinis, Powhatan Elementary; Steven M. Bass, Prettyboy Elementary; Deborah Stone, Randallstown Elementary; Leggie Boone, Randallstown High; Sharon Almony, Reisterstown Elementary; Jean Brumbley, Ridgely Middle; James Baldwin, Rodgers Forge Elementary; Laura Neidhardt, Sandy Plains Elementary; Robert Zienta, Scotts Branch Elementary; Beth Masters, Seneca Elementary; Barbara Penhallegon, Seven Oaks Elementary; Caitlin Harris, Seventh District Elementary; Bethany Berkowitz, Shady Spring Elementary; Elizabeth Fair, Sparks Elementary; Loyce Bergin, Sparrows Point High; Laura Gardner, Stoneleigh Elementary; Kathy Brauer, Sussex Elementary; Candace Winterson, Timber Grove Elementary; Margaret Paul, Towson High; Stephanie Foy, Villa Cresta Elementary; Jennifer Kiederer, Warren Elementary; Michelle Feeney, Westchester Elementary; Monika Dillard, Windsor Mill Middle; Kathryn Price, Woodbridge Elementary; and Joseph Davis, Woodlawn Middle.

At the October 20th Maryland Art Education Association Conference, Linda McConaughy of Parkville Middle School was honored as State Middle School Art Teacher of the Year, and Diane Webster of Loch Raven High School was recognized as State High School Art Teacher of the Year. At the county level, Colleen Dulaj of Battle Grove Elementary was honored as Elementary Career Teacher; Jackie Morgan of Pine Grove Middle, Middle School Career Teacher; Joanne Hicks Bare of Hereford High, High School Career Teacher; Jaclyn Cross of Joppa View Elementary, Elementary New Teacher; August DiMucci of Franklin Middle, Middle School New Teacher; Matt Voelker of Loch Raven High, High School New Teacher; and Tom Williamson, Retired Teacher. In addition, the following BCPS art teachers were selected to make presentations/lead workshops at the conference: Melinda Glackin, Middle River Middle; Caryn Martin, Towson High; Riselle Abrams, Timber Grove Elementary; Ann Summerson, Dumbarton Middle; Matt Voelker, Loch Raven High; and Craig Llewellyn, Lansdowne High.

At the October 2006 conference of The Maryland Association of School Health Nurses, Connie Fricker, school nurse at Chapel Hill Elementary School, will be named Maryland School Nurse of the Year. Fricker is being recognized because of the quality of service, leadership, and coordination she demonstrates in helping to sustain the health, safety and progress of all 750 children at Chapel Hill. 

July 2005 to June 2006

National and International

Margaret-Ann Howie, legal counsel to the Superintendent, authored a chapter in the book Sword & Shield Revisited, A Practical Approach to Section 1983, published in late August 2006. Her chapter is entitled “A Student’s Constitutional Rights in the Public School Setting.” In April, at the 2006 School Law Seminar of the National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys (held in Chicago), Howie presented a workshop entitled “Culture Wars in the Public Schools: A View from the Trenches.”

Gregory J. Collins, of Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, was honored with the Section 2 Spirit Contributor award by the National Federation of State High School Associations. This award recognized Collins for the excellent technique and citizenship of the cheer teams he coached.

Derek A. Maki, athletic director at Kenwood High School, successfully completed the process to become a Certified Master Athletic Administrator. This certification program, which is administered by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, identifies those administrators nationally who demonstrate exemplary knowledge, contributions, and ongoing professional development. The voluntary certification process includes a thorough evaluation of the candidate’s education and experience, NIAAA Leadership Courses, and professional contributions, and concludes with a practical written project.

Douglas Elmendorf, an assistant principal at Middleborough Elementary School, was selected, in spring 2006, as a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development’s (ASCD) Emerging Leaders Program. Emerging leaders are educators who have been in the profession from 5 to 15 years, hold promise as ASCD leaders, and are committed to fulfilling leadership opportunities. Elmendorf has been an educator for eight years and is pursuing a doctoral degree in instructional technology with an emphasis on school leadership. Nominated by ASCD leaders, emerging leaders complete an ASCD professional development online course designed to create an understanding of the Association’s mission and goals. They also participate in a mentorship program and take part in the ASCD Leadership for Effective Advocacy and Policy Institute, September 16–19, 2006, in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1943, ASCD, a nonprofit association based in Alexandria, Virginia, is one of the largest professional development organizations for educator leaders. ASCD’s 175,000 members reside in 135 countries and include principals, teachers, superintendents, professors of education, and other educators.

Ryan Imbriale, e-Learning Specialist, has been elected to the 2006-2007 Board of Directors of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE®). ISTE, a nonprofit membership organization, includes a network of 75 nonprofit organizations representing more than 85,000 education and technology professionals worldwide.

BCPS art teachers Juan Castro of Towson High, Craig Llewelyn of Lansdowne High, Alyssia Asp of Middle River Middle, Denise Webster of Loch Raven High, Sandy Cryder of Overlea High, Theresa Spadaro of Dundalk High, Cheryl Milligan of Towson High, along with Art Coordinator Linda Popp, Artist in Residence Duane Sabiston, and retired teacher Joyce Bucci were selected to make presentations at the National Art Education Association Conference in Chicago in March 2006.

David Williams, world languages department chair at Dumbarton Middle School, has been selected for inclusion in the premiere edition of National Honor Roll’s Outstanding American Teachers 2005/2006.

Mary Lu Pool, a teacher at Sparks Elementary, was selected as a Great Teacher in the Great Books Foundation’s 2005-2006 Great Books, Great Teachers celebration! She will be going to Chicago in April 2006 to get her award.

Kelly Smith, English teacher at Dulaney High School

Kelly Smith, an English teacher at Dulaney High School, is one of just 100 teachers in the U.S. to receive a 2005 MilkenFamily Foundation National Educator Award. The award includes a $25,000 prize.

Juan Castro, Towson High School art department chairman and photography teacher, has received an American Star of Teaching Award and is one of four semifinalists for the prestigious national Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Outstanding Young Educator Award.  Mr. Castro was nominated for the American Star of Teaching Award by his student Emily A., a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. Emily identified Mr. Castro as the teacher who had been most influential in her academic career. On October 25, 2005, the Maryland State Board of Education recognized Mr. Castro for receiving this honor. The national ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award is designed to honor an education professional, 40 years of age or younger, who demonstrates exemplary commitment and exceptional contribution to the profession. If Mr. Castro is selected as the annual winner of this award, he will receive a $10,000 prize and be profiled in Educational Leadership magazine.

Della Curtis, Coordinator of Library Information Services for Baltimore County Public Schools, was one of only 15 educators in the country invited to participate on a national VIP Advisory Panel to discuss digital textbooks and other digital resources to improve student achievement. The panel, hosted by the Follett Corporation, met in Chicago on September 28, 2005. Other educators participating on the panel include individuals with expertise in curriculum design, innovative teaching techniques, one-to-one computing, and education administration.

Veronica Henderson, Office of School Counseling

Veronica Henderson, employed in the Office of School Counseling, was elected as an At-Large Member of the Board of Directors of the National Education Association. She is a 25-year veteran of BCPS and is completing her master’s degree in family counseling.

160 Maryland public school teachers are among 7,289 teachers nationwide who earned the highest credential in the teaching profession – National Board Certification in 2005. The Baltimore County teachers earning this credential included: Sharon Adedeji, Owings Mills High, Natalie Avallone, Patapsco High, Carisa Bowman, Deep Creek Middle, Kenneth Gogel, Essex Elementary, Diane Hendry, Pot Spring Elementary, Judith Meusel, Glenmar Elementary, Jennifer Pinsky-Newman, Dulaney High, William Robertson, Perry Hall High and Monica Simonsen, Rolling Road Center Carriage House.

Local, State, and Regional

The Maryland State Department of Education named Karen Barthlow a Service Learning Fellow. Barthlow teaches reading and mathematics at Pine Grove Middle School, and her students were among the top fundraisers for the Children’s Cancer Foundation, bringing in $16,541. As a fellow, Barthlow will mentor other teachers and write service learning curriculum.

Baltimore County Public Schools Purchasing Manager Rick Gay

On May 23, at their 54th annual spring conference, the Association of School Business Officials for Maryland and the District of Columbia elected Baltimore County Public Schools Purchasing Manager Rick Gay as President for the 2006-2007 School year. Also elected in the role of President-elect was George Colburn, project manager of the Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Engineering and Construction. Colburn will succeed Gay as the President of ASBO MD/DC during the 2007-2008 school year.

The Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce honored 189 local public school teachers and educators at its 20th Annual Awards for Excellence in Education ceremony in May. Fifteen educators receiving top honors included:

Lisa Sopher, Hereford High School
Sue Wilson, Ridgely Middle School
Justin Pugh, Pine Grove Elementary School
Patricia Farrell, Catonsville Middle School
Sandy McGuire, Perry Hall Middle School
Jen Mileto, Padonia International Elementary School
Michelle Hunsicker, Kingsville Elementary School
Sharon Adedeji, Owings Mills High
Robert Gundlach, Chesapeake High School
Margaret Bagwell, Woodbridge Elementary School

In addition, the Chamber presented Berenbach Educational Incentives Fund Awards to:

Elizabeth Andrysak, Glenmar Elementary School
Patrice Manning-Walker, Scotts Branch Elementary School
Carol Moore, Dundalk Middle School
Kathy Wilson, Lansdowne Elementary School
Maleena Kantorski, Sandy Plains Elementary School

Perry Hall High School Principal, Brian Gonzalez, was awarded 2006 Principal of the Year by the Baltimore County Student Councils.

Tamara Fadoul, Hereford Middle School, was named 2006 Advisor of the Year by the Baltimore County Student Councils

Larry Sizemore

On May 6, Larry Sizemore, technology and Gifted and Talented resource teacher at Pleasant Plains Elementary School, was honored by the Kiwanis Club of Loch Raven as the 2006 Teacher of the Year.

Diana Owens

More than 4,000 outstanding teachers nationally, including 10 from Baltimore County Public Schools, were recognized through Wal-Mart's 11th annual Teacher of the Year program. The recognition came during Teacher Appreciation Week, which was May 8-12, and in honor of National Teacher's Day, Tuesday, May 9th. As a result of their selection, schools of winning teachers received $1,000 each from Wal-Mart, presented at a special awards luncheon.

Christian Gromek

Honored BCPS teachers included:

Susan Doyle, Holabird Middle School
Christian Gromek, Chase Elementary School
Anthony Jackson, Randallstown High School
Stephanie Mark, Dundalk Middle School
Diana Owens, Hernwood Elementary School
Valerie Penland, Overlea High School
James Pritchard, Pine Grove Middle School
Jessica Ryan, Battle Grove Elementary
Lisa Sopher, Hereford High School
Karen Southwick, Villa Cresta Elementary School

Joseph Freed, principal of the Carver Center for Arts and Technology was inducted into the Baltimore City College's Alumni Hall of Fame on October 28, 2005. He graduated from Baltimore City College in 1966.

At the annual National Art Education Association Conference held in Chicago March 22-26, Cheryl Milligan of Towson High was honored as NAEA Eastern Region Secondary Art Educator for 2006 and Alysia Asp of Middle River Middle was honored as the NAEA Eastern Region Middle Level Art Educator for 2006.

On January 24, 2006, Karen Yarn, Chair of the Gifted and Talented Citizen’s Advisory Committee, Ken Dickson, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, and Melanie Carter, Primary Talent Development Resource Teacher were honored by the State of Maryland for their efforts to advance gifted and talented programs.

Towson High School teacher Margaret Paul was named Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Teacher of the Year, at a surprise February 2006 ceremony at the school. The CBT Teacher of the Year award honors educators for advancing Bay restoration goals and improving student achievement through classroom and hands-on experiences. Paul received $2,500 and a plaque honoring her accomplishments. Paul, an environmental science teacher and mentor for other BCPS teachers and principals, uses the school’s campus and the local community as laboratories to teach students about nature, water quality, and the Bay. Her teaching style is said to be enlightened and enthusiastic, research-based, investigative, respectful and committed to the value of stewardship and partnership. She is instrumental in maintaining Towson High School’s recognition as a strong model and leader among Maryland’s recognized Green Schools since 2001. With her students, she maintains strong, committed partnerships with the Herring Run Watershed Association (HRWA), Baltimore County’s Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management, Towson University, and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.

Honorees included (l to r) Darnell Peaker, Cheryl Brooks, Susan Truesdell, Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston, Jodi Grosser-Gonzalez, Randy Quinn, and Crystal Collins (not shown)

At its January 2006 Annual Benefit and Recognition Breakfast, the Fullwood Foundation honored six Baltimore County teachers for their excellence in the classroom and as members of the school community. The following teachers received Fullwood Foundation Golden Apple Awards: Cheryl Brooks, formerly of Chase Elementary School, now a specialist in the Office of Equity and Assurance; Crystal Collins of Essex Elementary School; Jodi L. Grosser-González of New Town High School – Baltimore County’s Teacher of the Year for 2005-2006; Darnell Peaker of Hebbville Elementary School; Randy Quinn, formerly of Pleasant Plains Elementary School, now an assistant principal at Oakleigh Elementary School; and Susan Truesdell of Reisterstown Elementary School.

Charla Helmers, a fifth grade teacher at Dundalk Elementary, was named one of the Maryland finalists for the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s History Teacher of the Year Award. At the Maryland Council for the Social Studies fall conference, where she received her award, her students presented their local history projects – oral histories of Dundalk and Turner Station community residents.

Linda Hansell, a Mathematics teacher at Loch Raven High School was named a Maryland Finalist for the Presidential Awards for Mathematics and Science Teaching.

The Baltimore County Commission on Disabilities has selected Julie Gaynor, Special Educator at Hawthorne Elementary, as the 2005 winner of the Teacher of the Year Award.

New Town Elementary School guidance counselor Nadine LeVine was named Baltimore County School Counselor of the Year for Random Acts of Kindness.

Mark D. Wolf, of Owings Mills High School, has been selected by the International Technology Education Association as the outstanding high school technology teacher in the state of Maryland.

Sandy McGuire receiving her award

Sandy McGuire, guidance chair at Perry Hall Middle, was awarded the Jan Ferra Award for Outstanding Contributions by the Maryland Student Assistance Program Professionals Association (MSAPPA) at their annual conference. Every Maryland school has a Student Assistance Program known to all so students involved in substance abuse and other harmful behaviors can be identified and helped.




The following Baltimore County Public Schools educators were honored with 2006 awards from the Achievement Initiative for Maryland’s Minority Students (AIMMS) Council. A Chair Award was presented to Jamie Saltzman, a teacher at Bear Creek Elementary School, and an Excellence Award was presented to Corrine Wertz, a teacher at Randallstown Elementary School. The following educators were honored with Merit Awards: Rebekah Carney, autism, General John Stricker Middle School; Rachel Gauthier, school counselor, Stemmers Run Middle School; and Lawrence Williams, assistant principal, Loch Raven High School.

September 2004 - June 2005

National and International

Deidre Austen with State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nancy Grasmick.

Deidre Austen, a fourth and fifth grade teacher at Lutherville Laboratory is one of only two teachers in Maryland and one of just 100 teachers in the U.S. to receive a Milken Educator Award. The award, presented by the Milken Family Foundation, recognizes teachers for dedication and excellence in teaching and includes a $25,000 monetary prize.

Nancy Null of Sollers Point Technical High, Marie Ponzillo of Dulaney High, Nick Coppolino of Chesapeake High, Jim Cain of Eastern Technical High, Ben Conry of Milford Mill Academy, Scott Rogers of Frankin High, Susan Daneker of Loch Raven High, Lynn Clippinger of Randallstown High, Greg Deveau of Western School of Technology, and Michael Weglein of the BCPS Offices of Career and Technology Education achieved Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) industry certification status.

A seminar about the Baltimore County-based Celebrating All of Us project was honored as a showcase presentation at the Council for Exceptional Children’s annual national conference. The Celebrating All of Us conference presenters were project co-founders Julie Bartos, a physical therapist for Baltimore County Public Schools, and Claire Holmes, a reference librarian at Towson University and the parent of a kindergarten student attending Rodgers Forge Elementary. Holmes’ son has Down syndrome. Celebrating All of Us is a web-based resource located at http://pages.towson.edu/cholmes/similarities that promotes the inclusion of young children with disabilities in their neighborhood schools and communities.

Ron Belinko, BCPS Coordinator of Athletics, was one of only eight athletic administrators in the nation to receive a citation from the National Federation of State High School Associations. He was also inducted in the Maryland chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Magdalena Fitzsimmons, a music teacher at Sandy Plains Elementary, was selected by the National Music Foundation to receive the 2004 Lois Bailey Glenn Award for Teaching Excellence. The $1,000 award recognizes teachers who use American Music in their classrooms. Ms. Fitzsimmons was selected as a finalist for her lesson plan on the life and times of Ella Fitzgerald.

The following teachers completed rigorous performance assessments and portfolios to achieve National Board Certification status: Sandra Bixby, Middlesex Elementary; Jennifer Bodis, Sparrows Point Middle; Jo Ann Brukiewa, Middlesex Elementary; Kathleen Calkins, Patapsco High; Juan Castro, Towson High; Theresa Medina, Dundalk Elementary; Cheryl Milligan, Towson High; Peter Skeels, Towson High; Jill Williams, Dumbarton Middle School;, and Beth Shapiro, Perry Hall High. Jill Williams is the first BCPS ESOL teacher to achieved National Board Certification. Beth Shapiro is now the first National Board Certified Librarian in Baltimore County and one of only five in the state of Maryland.

David Williams, Dumbarton Middle, and Janice Mueller, Fullerton Elementary, were both nominated for a second time to be honored in Who’s Who Among American Teachers.

Patsy J. Holmes, Director, Department of Student Support Services has been recognized by the National Association of School Resource Officers by receiving the Safe School Leadership Award for her outstanding efforts.

A curriculum writing team – including Mary Boegner of Fifth District Elementary, Christi Drakos of Shady Spring Elementary, Hedy Droski (team leader) of the Office of Elementary Education, Ellen Stein of the Office of Elementary Language Arts, and Marielle Wheeler of Catonsville Elementary – won an award from the National Association for Gifted Children in recognition of outstanding curriculum development. The curriculum – The Concept of Balance in Literature: The Tale of Peter Rabbit, BCPS, 2003 for Kindergarten Language Arts, Primary Achievement and Curriculum Enrichment – was piloted by the following Baltimore County kindergarten teachers at the following schools: Robin Buckheit, Wellwood; Christine Cade, Logan; Christi Drakos, Campfield Early Childhood Learning Center; Stacey Eppley, Kingsville; Kathy Lauer, Featherbed Primary; Kerry Oborski, Randallstown El., Carol Pallante, Rodgers Forge; Beverly Polk, Elmwood; Kim Rhanis, Bear Creek; Susan Serotte, Riderwood; and Sandra Zeitzoff, Rodgers Forge.

Amanda Shom-Woodson, a dance teacher/instructor at the Carver Center for Arts and Technology won a scholarship at the National High School Dance Festival in Philadelphia.

Jill Masterman, supervisor, Office of Athletics, and Kathy Graybeal, athletic director, Towson High, successfully completed the requirements for national certification as a master athletic administrator.

Meaghan Slattery of Riverview Elementary School was one of 52 new teachers in Maryland who received the Meritorious New Teacher Candidate distinction, complete with a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. The honor was part of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Teacher Project, which provides licensing reciprocity among Delaware, Maryland, Washington, and Virginia.

Thomas Pless, technology education chair of Dundalk High School was named the 2005 recipient of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association ‘s Teaching Tools Award. This award recognizes Mr. Pless’s teaching, his knowledge of subject matter, and his creativity in teaching his students the intricacies of technology and communications education, and included a $1,000 award that will be used to boost the school’s robotics program. This was the third year in a row that a Dundalk High School teacher has won this award.

Local, State, and Regional

The Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics named Dolores Bonincontri the 2003-2004 Middle School Mathematics Teacher of the Year.

New Town High School World Language Department Chair Jodi Grosser-Gonzalez was named Baltimore County’s 2005-2006 Teacher of the Year.

At the 19th Annual Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce Teachers’ Awards for Excellence in Education ceremony, 156 Baltimore County teachers were honored. From these honorees, ten winners representing each geographical area, teaching level, special education, and special area received an Award of Excellence plaque and stipend.
      Geographic winners included: Anne Puckett, Westchester Elementary, Southwest Area; Thomas Pless, Dundalk High, Southeast Area; Conya Bailey, Summit Park Elementary, Northwest Area; Homeretta Ayala, Fullerton Elementary, Northeast Area; and Kay Curry, Lutherville Laboratory, Central Area.
      Category/Level winners were: John Campbell, Randallstown Elementary; Traci Methena, Dumbarton Middle; Chris Sakers, Pikesville High; Kim Mark, Carney Elementary (Special Education); and Marjorie Simon, Perry Hall High (Special Area).
      Five winners were also honored as recipients of awards from the Berenback Educational Incentives Fund (for teachers from Title I schools). These winners included: Robyn Buckheit, Shady Spring Elementary; Stephanie Canestraro, Battle Grove Elementary; Jennifer Bagnall-Drought, Mars Estates Elementary; Leesa Green, Lansdowne Elementary; and Amy Hansen, Deep Creek Elementary.

The Technology Education Association of Maryland ‘s Leadership Award was presented to Dundalk High department chairman, Thomas G. Pless.

Jason Bullerman, a technology education teacher now in his 2nd year at Dundalk High, received the Technology Education Association of Maryland’s High School New Teacher Excellence Award for his outstanding contributions.

The Dundalk High School technology education department was recognized with the Technology Education Association of Maryland’s Maryland Program Excellence Award for exhibiting an outstanding level of program quality, which includes the implementation of a technology education curriculum in a professional and challenging manner and incorporation of creative teaching methods. Faculty members who received this award are Thomas Pless, Ken Hadfield, Jason Bullerman, Aaron Steinberg, and Tony Sanchez.

The Technology Education Association of Maryland honored Chris Putnam of Dumbarton Middle School with a Certificate of Excellence for Outstanding Contributions to Technology Education in Maryland.

New Town High’s head varsity football coach, Richard Stichel, was honored as a Ravens High School Coach of the Week.

Michelle Prumo, coordinator, Office of Health Services, has been named Maryland’s School Nurse Administrator for the Year by the Maryland Association of School Health Nurses.

The Curriculum Division of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) honored the following BCPS team members for writing an exemplary kindergarten curriculum unit for Gifted and Talented Education: Mary Boegner, Fifth District Elementary; Hedy Droski, Office of GT Education; Christi Drakos, Shady Spring Elementary; Ellen Stein, Office of Elementary Language Arts; and Mariellen Wheeler, Catonsville Elementary.

Loch Raven High School’s athletic director, David Hock, received a Distinguished Service Award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

Rowland Savage, coordinator, Office of Guidance and Counseling, was named Maryland’s School Counselors’ Association’s Advocate of the Year.

Officer Michael J. Schmitz, a school resource office at Eastern Technical High School, was one of 10 county officers honored by the Baltimore County Police Foundation. Schmitz was recognized for developing the Shop with a Cop program, which pairs disadvantaged children with police officers for a $100 shopping spree during the holiday season. He was also honored as a Police Officer of the Year by The Sun.

Susan Clarke of Charlesmont Elementary School, Paul Foster of Sollers Point Technical High School, and Amy Ryan of Sparrows Point Middle School were selected by the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce to receive their first Outstanding Teacher Recognition Awards.

Kevin Harahan, principal of Parkville High, has been named 2004-05 Principal of the Year by the Baltimore County Student Councils.

Perry Hall High’s Sandy Caslin was named 2004-05 Advisor of the Year by the Baltimore County Student Councils.

Diana Yingling, Spanish teacher at Hereford Middle, was selected as one of 13 Maryland teachers to participate in a Fullbright-Hayes program in Mexico.

Matthew Russell, chief custodian at Franklin Elementary, received a TABCO Recognition Award for excellent service.

Laurel Nossel, administrative secretary at Pinewood Elementary, was selected as Office Professional of the Year by the Baltimore County Association of Educational Office Professionals.

The physical education program at Oakleigh Elementary, led by Mindy Williams, was named a Maryland Physical Education Demonstration School.

Randy Dase, teacher and boys basketball coach at Towson High, was recognized by the Central Maryland District IAABO Board 23 Basketball Officials for establishing positive sportsmanship at the school.

Rhonda Hoyman, supervisor of Technical Programs, was awarded the Outstanding Secondary Distinguished Service Award from the Maryland State Department of Education for her demonstration of a high level of leadership, vision, and achievement in career and technology education. She was recognized for making the highest meritorious contributions to the improvement, promotion, and implementation of secondary career and technology education.

Wal-Mart Corporation awarded Owings Mills Elementary School with a check for $1,000 in the name of Lewis Poole. He has been recognized by Wal-Mart as an Outstanding Teacher.

Denise Boyd, manager of the cafeteria at Stemmers Run Middle and president-elect of the Baltimore County School Nutrition Association, is the recipient of the Maryland School Nutrition Association Silver Success Award. The Silver Success Award honors people employed in school food service who are dedicated to serving the nutritional needs of school children and furthering the school lunch program by doing more than their job requires.

Sandy Hamilton, a member of the office personnel at Elmwood Elementary, won a Childrens’ Champion award for her support of Kids Helping Hopkins for the last seven years. And this year, she was awarded an Outstanding Marylander Award.

Patsy J. Holmes, Director, Department of Student Support Services has received the Baltimore County Police Department Merit Award for services rendered to the Police Department and citizens of Baltimore County by recognizing the need to integrate policing into public schools by initiating the SRO program in Baltimore County.

Patricia Cook, a resource teacher in the BCPS Office of Health Education, was recognized as the Maryland Health Educator of the Year at the state Maryland Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (MAHPERD) convention. The award recognizes health educators who have provided outstanding leadership in the state and have demonstrated their expertise and knowledge of high quality instructional practices. At the same event, Michelle Proser, physical education teacher at Red House Run Elementary, was selected as the MAHPERD Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year.

John Sheehe of Sollers Point High was recognized as Maryland’s ProStart Teacher of the Year for 2005, as recognized by the Maryland Hospitality Education Foundation and the Maryland Restaurant Association, and he represented Maryland at the National Restaurant Association meeting in Chicago.

Sharon DiPace, dance teacher at Lansdowne High, and John Perna, physical education consultant in the Office of Physical Education were dual winners of the prestigious Simon McNeely Award from the Maryland Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (MAHPERD).

Jeanne Tamberrino, physical education teacher at Pine Grove Middle, was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award from the Baltimore County Commission on Disabilities. She has coordinated many programs at Pine Grove that teach acceptance, compassion, and understanding of students with disabilities.

Judy O’Connell of Cedarmere Elementary received the Sherry Unger Award from the Maryland State Department of Education for a service learning project she conducted with her 3rd grade students. While reading, writing, and learning about the challenges of being homeless, Ms. O’Connell’s students collected clothing, toiletries, and food to donate to the Hannah More Shelter in Reisterstown.

Joyce Coleman, a teacher’s aide who assists with specially challenged children in the 4th grade at Hernwood Elementary, received the Thurgood Marshall Award from the NAACP.

The Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Communications is always eager to hear about and promote good news about the system, schools, students, teachers, and staff. Please share achievements and good news by e-mailing communications@bcps.org. Every year, we celebrate BCPS achievements through Board of Education Recognition ceremonies (November, February, and April), Maryland State Department of Education School Achievement Celebration (January/February), Teacher of the Year (May), and the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce Awards for Excellence in Education (May). Information about nominating individuals for 2005-2006 school year awards will soon be available online.